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Just a quick query: how is Gerardo Nunez's first name pronounced? Is it "Jeh-rardo" or "Heh-rardo" or is the G like the French J in "Je suis" for example? Does the same thing apply to "Gitano"? Is it "Hee-tano"? or what? THANKS.
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to rombsix)
The use of J and G in Spanish is completely different to the use in English. There is no real equivalent in English that can demonstrate this. The general rule however is G in Spanish befor a, o, u is pronounced similar to the G in goat. Before e and i, it is similar to the sound ch in loch. (Gerardo) Using your method the nearest pronunciation would be che-rar-doh.
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to Doitsujin)
quote:
ORIGINAL: Doitsujin
man... just fake some serious lisp-disease and you speak spanish with perfect pronounciation.
That would be in reference to spanish in Spain In South and most of Latin America there's very little of that silly lisping business! But then we also get into different territory re: the sound of 'll'...
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Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to rombsix)
Hey rar doh NOOnyeth.
Hee tahn know.
These would be american style pronounciations, spelled phonetically of course. The "H" sounds you clear your throat. But you said "mates" which tells me you might have British accent. Hope this still clears it up.
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to rombsix)
Hey Ricardo,
I don't know why I use "mates" and such British words. It's just a habit I guess. I actually have an accent closer to American English than to British English. But I am Lebanese and speak Arabic, which has the sound "KH" (as in the "throat-clearing" sound so to speak) in it. So I can pronounce that fine. Does that mean that Gerardo is pronounced like Jose or Jerez? Americans pronounce it Herez or Hose (not the garden hose that is!) since they can't pronounce the KH sound well. So even though it's a letter "G" in Gerardo, it's still pronounced like a letter "J" as in Jose or stuff like it? So it is "KHitano" or "KHerardo" ? (where KH is like the pronunciation of Gebran KHalil Gebran, the famous poet and writer i.e. the throat-clearing sound).
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
These would be american style pronounciations, spelled phonetically of course. The "H" sounds you clear your throat. But you said "mates" which tells me you might have British accent. Hope this still clears it up.
Very good explanation in your main text but when you refer to 'British, accent you might be thinking more 'English' accent. No problem with a 'Scots' accent. It's a funny thing but Scots always wonder why others can't pronounce Loch properly (ch being a bit like the 'G' in Gerardo) and they always say 'Lock' instead. Applies to English, Americans etc. Spanish/Arabic speakers are fine. It's as if some nationalities don't like or are embarased to make the throat sound.
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to rombsix)
خ
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RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to rombsix)
I used to go to a diner run by a Kurd and we chatted long enough for me to learn that he was an atheist, contemptuous of religion, but he kept the place halal for his largely Turkish clientele.
He did these ‘Mediterranean’ breakfasts, all olives and tomatoes. I said it looked like breakfast in Spain without the ham.
Laughing, he said “as you know, we are a strict Muslim business”.
Me, “Aw, donde esta el jamon?”
The owner’s assistant, also Kurdish and presumably irreligious, “Did you just say something in Arabic?”
I think it was the ‘j’ of ‘jamon’ that made him think that.
RE: Pronunciation in Spanish (in reply to Ricardo)
The owner of our jazz club is from Maruecco, but when I introduced him to jamon de pata negra he loved it. The other night he invited me to a chupito of Jameson and said "Salud" I replied "Sláinte" and he said "Si! Sláinte de jamon".
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But then we also get into different territory re: the sound of 'll'... 
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